Local runners, 3 Men 1 Marathon, made up of brothers Michael Pelton, 28, and Andrew Pelton, 30, and their close friend and housemate Niall Cooper, 28, from Brixton, are taking on the 2021 Virgin Money London Marathon for the UK’s leading learning disability charity, Mencap.
The three friends have decided to attempt a Guinness World Record by running London Marathon with their ankles tied together. The current record for the 4-legged marathon is 4 hours and 44 minutes.
The trio join over 450 Mencap runners – including 14 runners with a learning disability – taking on the iconic 26.2 miles route from east to west London, via the Cutty Sark, Tower Bridge and The Mall, as the charity celebrates its 75th anniversary.
Every penny raised by 3 Men 1 Marathon, and other Mencap runners, will go towards funding Mencap’s life-changing programmes, which aim to tackle stigma and help people with a learning disability lead happy and healthy lives.
Speaking about why the trio have decided to take on such a formidable challenge to raise vital funds for the learning disability charity Mencap, Niall Cooper says: “I work in education and teach students of all ages, some of whom have a learning disability. As housemates, we spend a lot of time discussing political issues like cuts to very necessary and underfunded services – so from our point of view the work that Mencap is doing is incredibly vital.
“We’ve also seen the stats around the very small percentage of people with a learning disability who are in employment and knowing that Mencap is helping people into work is extremely rewarding. As such, it was a natural choice for us to run for Mencap.”
There are 1.5 million people with a learning disability in the UK, and they face huge inequalities everyday of their lives. The coronavirus pandemic has hit people with a learning disability particularly hard – they have died of COVID-19 at much higher rates than the general population, had their social care support stopped when they needed it most and lost vital opportunities to stay fit and healthy.1
Aaron Plummer, who has a learning disability and is also running the 2021 Virgin Money London Marathon for Mencap after running the virtual London Marathon last year, says: “I can’t wait to run the London marathon in London this year with 3 Men 1 Marathon and the rest of Team Mencap. It will be so cool to do it with all the crowds there.
“The pandemic has been really tough for people with a learning disability. We’ve been stuck at home, not able to talk to our friends, go to work or do the things we enjoy. Mencap has had our back.
“I’m proof that if you’ve got the right support, you can prove people wrong. That’s why I’m giving back to Mencap for all the support they’ve given me over the years and for being there for me and other people with a learning disability during the pandemic. Please support 3 Men and 1 Marathon and the rest of Team Mencap today because Mencap is an amazing charity and does such much for people with a learning disability, like me.”
Edel Harris, Chief Executive of the learning disability charity Mencap, says: “We are delighted that Michael, Andrew and Niall, along with over 450 other runners, will be taking on the 2021 Virgin Money London Marathon to raise vital funds for Mencap’s life-changing programmes. This has been a hugely difficult year for people with a learning disability but with your support we will be able to continue to provide vital services to help people to rebuild their lives after Covid.
“All of our runners will be helping to raise awareness about learning disability and in turn raise vital funds for our programmes, which are needed now more than ever. Join me in supporting Michael, Andrew and Niall by cheering them on, on the day, and by donating to their fundraising page. Through your generosity and encouragement, we can continue to support people with a learning disability to lead happy and healthy lives.”
Founded in 1946, Mencap provides the highest quality frontline support to thousands of people with a learning disability, while ensuring that people with a learning disability and their families and carers can get help through the charity’s helpline, online support services and lobbying and influencing work.
During the pandemic, the charity successfully campaigned for people with a learning disability to be prioritised for the COVID-19 vaccine. The charity continues to campaign for the rights of people with a learning disability as we come out of the pandemic as well as support people in their local community to bring about the changes they want to see to help make a different to their lives.
To support 3 Men 1 Marathon, please visit: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Team/3Men1Marathon
